Christmas magic on show with 100,000 lights in quiet Somerset street

Is this Britain’s most festive street Six families spend 18,000 on their Christmas lightsAmazing festive lightshow in Burnham-on-Sea, SomersetThousands flock to unassuming cul-de-sac to gaze at stunning sceneCosts six families 3,000 each to put on

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UPDATED:

13:46 GMT, 2 December 2012

Bathed in the glorious blaze of nearly 100,000 Christmas illuminations, this is Britain's most festive cul-de-sac.

For a few weeks every year, the riot of Yuletide colour helps make an otherwise unassuming street in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, surely one of the most magical places in the country.

The tradition was started 12 years ago by Nick, 43, and Hazel Gardner, 42, with neighbours Chris Woodberry, 64, and his late wife Christine, who died in 2010 aged 61.

David Carter and son Jack, three, admire the Christmas decorations in Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset, surely the most festive street in Britain

Fiona Lovibond and daughter Jasmine Thorne, one, are also in thrall to the show, which cosst six families 3,000 each to put on every year

Four other families are involved in the ritual, which costs them 3,000 each for six sets of 15,000 lights covering their homes and gardens.

Sparkling Santas, reindeers and snowmen also adorn the road, which is visited by thousands of festive thrill-seekers every year.

The amazing scene in Britain's most festive street is made possible by six families, who started the tradition in Burnham-on-Sea 12 years ago

Thousands of people flock to the quiet suburban street every year to enjoy the spectacular light show

Ashleigh Radford, seven, is transfixed by the festive scene, which benefits charities through visitors' donations

Mrs Gardner said: 'Every year we try to change the display to keep it looking fresh, so this year all of the illuminations have been put in different places.

'I think it looks absolutely fantastic, it is definitely our best year so far. There are so many lights, it is impossible to count them all but there are more than 90,000.

The Winter Wonderland street is a hit with people of all ages, but a visit is the highlight of the year for many kids

As well as the thousands of fairy lights, luminous Santas and reindeers wow the crowds

'We have all had a look at each others displays when we've been checking that they work before the switch on and everyone had done a great job.

'It has been a great way to get to know our neighbours. I'm always sad when we finally switch them off – it would be great to have them on all year.

'But putting them up and the switch on is always something to look forward to. The best thing is seeing all the lights when you return home from work.'

Annabelle Kempton, three, can't get enough of the brightly-lit reindeers on show

Since the tradition began, nearly 40,000 has been raised for good causes from people's donations

Jim Plested and his son, Beau (left) aged three, in one of the brightly lit gardens

Paula Payne, 67, who lives next door to Mr and Mrs Gardner, has been taking part in the decorations since moving in with husband Graham, 71, five years ago.

She said: 'We have added some new ranges this year and it is looking great.

'I love seeing the children come and see what we've done, they get so excited.

'I think it is a neighbourly and community thing. Many places you go now people don't know their neighbours and for me this is going back 40 years.

'We never intrude with each others displays but we are always there for each other if help is needed. It is also important to help local charities too.'

Visitors are asked to make a donation in a number of collection boxes around Trinity Close.

Visitors can see the impressive display every day between 4pm-10pm until January 6

Last year the display raised 5,003 and has harvested 37,742.98 since the neighbours started collecting for charity eight years ago.

Donations go to Petals, a charitable trust set up in memory of Christine Woodbury, to benefit local cancer hospices and BARB, a registered charity that operates two life-saving rescue hovercrafts and an inshore rescue boat in the Bridgwater Bay area.

The lights are on between the hours of 4pm and 10pm each day from 1 December to January 6.